Our Classes

We provide classes optimized to establish and build upon an enthusiasm for the German language and the diverse cultures of German-speaking countries. Over the course of the school year, you will obtain the tools and have opportunities to speak, read, and write German with confidence. You will not only receive quality academic instruction, but the opportunity to use it in memorable and fun communication activities that are applicable to the real world.

We offer classes for Pre-K & Kindergarten, Children, Teens, and Adults. Our Traditional Saturday classes start in September and the learning builds through May. Our school year is divided into two semesters (fall and spring) and the learning builds from September through May. If you missed the start of the school year or semester, contact us, you can still join class!

We also offer Special Interest classes (themed classes such as grammar, conversation, etc.) periodically throughout the school year and over the summer. Availability of Special Interest classes depend on student interest and staffing. 

PreK & Kindergarten

Children dancing to German kids music

Our Pre-K & K class accepts children 4-5 years old (we can accept a limited number of 3 year olds). The children approach the German language in a playful, hands-on way.

Through German poems, games, songs and rhymes, storybooks, and art projects, the children learn basic vocabulary and conversational skills! Lessons revolve around themes like family, animals, colors, food, clothing, body, nature, months, weekdays, seasons, and holidays.

This class is a playful first approach to German for our youngest students. All language levels welcome! This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Children & Teens

Our children and teen classes are divided into levels with efforts to insure that the age difference is no more than three years within each classroom. Rather than corresponding to public school grade levels, our classes are grouped by language proficiency as well as age. This allows more flexibility in assigning students into a level that will challenge them at their own pace while promoting confidence and self-esteem within our engaging and sound scholastic environment. Learning materials for these classes include a textbook and supplemental material from other sources.

Classes for 2026-2027

The classes below are Traditional Saturday classes, which are held on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Elementary I

In this class for lower elementary school students (grades 1-2), German is all about “learning by doing”! Children play games, craft, learn songs and rhymes, and encounter German in an intuitive way. While the class emphasizes the spoken language, the children are also introduced to the German letter/ sounds system in a careful, age-appropriate way, and learn to read and write their first words and sentences in German.

Learning materials for this class include a textbook and supplemental material from other sources. All language levels welcome!

This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Elementary II

This class is for elementary school students with intermediate (or higher) German language skills who are able to fluently read and write in English (app. Grades 3-4) Students should know “classroom language” in German so they can follow a class primarily taught in German. They should be able to express themselves in spoken German in simple sentences, know the German alphabet and sounds, and read German sight words and simple sentences.

In this level, children will reinforce and build on vocabulary learned in lower grades. They will expand their conversational skills, develop their reading and writing skills, and gain first insights into German grammar. Culture and holiday tradition in German speaking countries is explored through songs, poems and crafts. Learning materials for this class include a textbook and supplemental material from other sources.

Not sure if this class is right for you? Contact us today!

This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Elementary III 

This class is geared towards upper elementary and lower middle school students (grades 4-6) with intermediate (or higher) German language skills. Students should be able to follow a class taught primarily in German, express themselves in German in simple sentences (in speaking and writing), and read short, age appropriate texts.

Students in this class will strengthen all four language skill levels: listening, speaking, reading and writing. They learn to understand age-appropriate texts and audios, play vocabulary and grammar games, write their own stories in German, and explore the culture of German speaking countries through project-based learning.

The curriculum prepares students to take the “Internationale Vergleichsarbeit A1” (Level A1 German exam for children). Learning materials for this class include a textbook and supplemental material from other sources.

Not sure if this class is right for you? Contact us today!

This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Middle School Exam Prep

This class is geared towards middle school students with intermediate (or higher) knowledge of German, and is taught entirely in German. Throughout the school year, students in this level will learn to maintain a fluent conversation in German about everyday topics. They will explore topics in depth and learn to prepare/ give oral reports on them. They will read and understand more complex texts and audios, and work on their writing skills, using correct spelling and grammar.

The curriculum prepares students to take the “Internationale Vergleichsarbeit A2” (Level A2 German exam for youth), and they also participate in the AATG National German Exam Competition (Level 1 and 2). Learning materials for this class include a textbook and supplemental material from other sources.

Not sure if this class is right for you? Contact us today!

This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

High School I Exam Prep

This class is geared towards high school students with advanced knowledge of German, and is taught entirely in German. During the first half of the morning, students practice all language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing), with special emphasis on “exam skills” such as writing letters, argumentative essays, and summaries, or preparing/ giving oral reports. During the second half of the morning (called “Lesestunde/ Book Club”), students will explore the German language and culture through literature (class readers, short fiction, or poems).

The curriculum prepares students to take the “Deutsche Sprachdiplom I” (DSD I – German Language Diploma Level I) and/ or the AP German Exam. Students also participate in the AATG National German Exam Competition each winter.

Learning materials for this class include a textbook and supplemental material from other sources. Exam students may need to purchase additional instructional material.

Not sure if this is the right class for you? Please contact the teacher Fanny Jasper.

This class will be held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

High School II Exam Prep 

This class, taught entirely in German, is for advanced high school students who have successfully passed the DSD I exam (or have equivalent language skills) and would like to prepare for the AP German exam and/ or the DSD II exam (Deutsches Sprachdiplom II/ German Language Diploma Level II).

High School II Exam Prep is a 3-semester program (fall-spring-fall). Students entering the program in grade 10 will take the AP German exam in grade 10, and the DSD II exam in the fall of grade 11. Students entering the program in grade 11 will take the AP German exam in grade 11 and the DSD II exam in the fall of grade 12.

This class is taught in a hybrid format. Students meet online one weekday evening (for 60 minutes) for intensive exam training, such as reading, listening, vocabulary enrichment, grammar review, advanced writing skills such as formal letters/ emails, argumentative essays, etc.

In addition, students attend school in person on Saturdays. The first half of the morning is dedicated to guided completion of homework and writing assignments. During the second half, called “Lesestunde/ Book Club”, students explore literature in German (a semester reader, short fiction, or poems) often in connection to cultural topics. The “Book Club” portion of the morning is taught together with the High School I class.

This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Classes for Adults

Whether you’re considering personal, academic, or professional goals, we offer outstanding adult classes designed for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Students may select any of our high-quality classes that best suits their proficiency with the language. To promote language fluency, our dynamic curriculum will address: vocabulary building, listening and reading comprehension, composition abilities, speech fluency, and language use training. Not sure where you will best fit? We will assist you in choosing the best class environment for your needs.

Classes for 2026-2027

The classes below are Traditional Saturday classes, which are held on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus, as well as Special Interest classes held at our Santa Rosa campus (days and times vary).

Adult Beginner I

This class is perfect for adult learners with no prior knowledge of the German language. The class incorporates listening comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary, and grammar.

With completion of this level, students will understand and carry out basic communication such as introducing themselves, asking and answering questions, and more. Students will build and use basic vocabulary that refers to their immediate surroundings and everyday activities.

Additionally, students will gain basic knowledge and insight into the culture of German-speaking countries such as travel, everyday life, food and drink, history, and holidays.

By the end of the school year, students will have reached language skill level A1.1 and should be able to move up to the next course level.Learning materials for this class include a textbook and supplemental material and media.

This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Adult Beginner II

This class is tailored toward adult learners who have completed a beginner class or already have some basic German language skills. The class incorporates listening comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. Students learn to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and phrases, and communicate in simple ways about topics of immediate relevance (such as personal details, family, work, leisure).

Throughout the course, students will review language skills from the beginner level (A1), and move towards an advanced beginner/intermediate language skill level (A2).

Learning materials for this class include a textbook and supplemental material and media. Recommended homework can include exercises from the course book or workbook as well as listening or reading assignments from other sources such as easy readers and language learning websites.

This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Adult Intermediate

This class is tailored toward adult learners who have completed the Adult Beginner II course or have equivalent language skills. The class incorporates intermediate language study (A2 level) in listening comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. Students learn to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and phrases, and communicate in simple ways about topics of immediate relevance (such as personal details, family, work, leisure).

Learning materials for this class include a textbook and supplemental material and media. Recommended homework can include exercises from the course book or workbook as well as listening or reading assignments from other sources such as easy readers and language learning websites.

This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Adult Advanced

This class is tailored toward advanced adult learners who have completed “Adult Intermediate” or have equivalent language skills.

Students will approach and discuss various aspects of life and culture in the German speaking countries on an advanced level (B1 or higher), with the teacher tailoring the curriculum to students’ interests and language abilities. Media used may include texts (fiction and non-fiction), video clips, audios, and movies. They will broaden their vocabulary, dive deeper into German grammar, and continuously work on their writing and speaking skills.

Learning materials for this class include a textbook and supplemental material and media. Recommended homework can include listening or reading assignments from sources such as newspaper articles, modified or original fiction, and language learning websites, as well as vocabulary and grammar exercises.

This class is held in-person on Saturday mornings at our Novato campus.

Santa Rosa Special Interest Classes

We will be offering a Special Interest class in Santa Rosa for Fall 2026. More details coming soon!

Exams We Offer

AATG National German Exam 

The American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) offers four levels of tests called the National German Examination (NGE). We provide our middle and high school students with the opportunity to take NGE Level 2-4. These tests are comprised of multiple-choice questions about reading and listening comprehension, and are scored on a national basis. All students scoring at or above the 70th percentile nationwide are honored at a yearly ceremony and can potentially win a summer study trip to Germany through the AATG.

The NGE is administered at our school in December/January (Level 2-4). Students will learn how they scored within a few weeks. There is no cost to the student to take the NGE.

Internationale Vergleichsarbeit A1, A2
Deutsches Sprachdiplom I , II

Students at our school have the opportunity to take the Internationale Vergleichsarbeit A1 and A2, and the Deutsche Sprachdiplom (DSD) Level I and II. These are exams offered by the German government’s Office of German Schools Abroad (Bundesverwaltungsamt, Zentralstelle für das Auslandsschulwesen) for students who are studying at German schools abroad. All exams test language skills in the areas of reading comprehension, listening comprehension, speaking and text production.

Internationale Vergleichsarbeit A1

The Internationale Vergleichsarbeit A1 is an exam for older elementary school students (ages 9-11) that tests basic German language skills (language skill level A1 of the “Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen”/ Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Our older elementary school students have the opportunity to take this exam in spring and are awarded a star certificate (Sternchenzeugnis) at the end of the school year.

Internationale Vergleichsarbeit A2

The more demanding Internationale Vergleichsarbeit A2 is geared towards students ages 12 years and up. Our middle school students have the opportunity to take this exam in spring. It is designed to prepare them for the Deutsche Sprachdiplom for high school students.

Deutsches Sprachdiplom I (DSD I)

The DSD I exam (language skill level B1) assumes a student has a very good command of German. This test, administered in spring, qualifies a student to apply to a Studienkolleg at a German University. It is geared towards students aged 14-16, and includes reading and listening comprehension as well as essay writing. Additionally, students will have to give a short oral presentation about a topic of their choice. Questions pertinent to the presentation will have to be answered fluently. The student must also demonstrate cultural competence throughout all parts of the test.

Deutsches Sprachdiplom II (DSD II)

The DSD II (Language skill level B2/C1) is the highest test level and assumes the student has an excellent command of German. It is typically administered to students in the fall of their junior or senior years of high school. The DSD II certificate fulfills the language requirements necessary to apply at a German university.

The DSD II is a challenging exam that requires students to show that they can understand and present difficult and controversial topics as well as demonstrate critical thinking skills in their essay and in their oral presentations.

Students benefit greatly from taking the DSD exams, as successful completion of the DSD is directly applicable to studying abroad in Germany. We offer preparation for the DSD I and DSD II in our high school classes, but students may have to travel to test locations in the Bay Area for some portions of the exam.

See the high school course descriptions for more detailed information, and feel free to contact us.

AP German Language and Culture Exam

Like all other advanced placement exams, the AP German Language and Culture exam, developed by the College Board,

offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school and improve their chances of admission to a particular college. The AP German exam, if passed with a score of 3 or more, is also generally accepted by US colleges as a proof of foreign language proficiency, and counts as the equivalent of at least 3 years or more of foreign language study in high school. Using the successful completion of the AP German exam with a score of 3 or higher to cover high school language study requirements should only be considered for students who are very strong in German and are sure they will pass the exam in grade 10,11, or 12.

The exam, which tests language skills roughly on level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, includes listening and reading comprehension, essay writing, and speaking. It is administered in May at a designated high school. Although we are not allowed to administer the AP German exam, we prepare students for it in our high school classes. Our AP Prep class has been an integral part of our students’ preparation to successfully pass the AP exam.

ZfA and DSD logos side by side